"The AIU has provisionally suspended Kenyan long-distance runner Sarah Chepchirchir with immediate effect for violation of the IAAF anti-doping rules," it said.

Chepchirchir and her two little known compatriots, Samson Mungai Kagia and James Mwangi Wangari, will not be eligible for competition after the AIU charged them with violations of the IAAF anti-doping rules, reports Xinhua news agency.

Chepchirchir came to prominence on February 26, 2017 when she posted a tremendous breakthrough performance of 2:19:47 to win the women's title at the Tokyo race, which is part of the prestigious World Marathon Majors elite circuit.